Living with constant, nagging back pain can make it hard to focus on anything else. Researchers looked at how a type of brain stimulation called transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) might help people dealing with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
The study analyzed 19 trials and found that using the stimulation alone for a single session did not significantly lower pain levels compared to a fake treatment. However, things changed when the brain stimulation was combined with physical or behavioral therapies. In those cases, patients saw a significant reduction in their pain intensity.
While the results are promising, there is still some uncertainty. The researchers found no difference in outcomes based on which specific part of the brain was targeted. Additionally, the evidence for improving daily function and psychological well-being was less clear. Because more high-quality studies are needed to perfect these methods, talk to your doctor about how these combined treatments might fit your specific needs.
